A Comprehensive Guide about Living in Regensburg

Life in Regensburg

Culture and Leisure

Regensburg is a beautiful, historical city; since 2006, its preserved medieval quarter been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. The old town has nearly 2,000 listed buildings, some of which date from as far back as the 14th century.

The city is also home to over twenty museums, including the world famous Regensburg Museum of History and a branch of the Bavarian National Museum. It also has a burgeoning cultural scene, with many theaters, music halls, and art galleries, most notably the Regensburger Domspatzen.

Expatriates living in Regensburg will also be able to take advantage of the city’s nightlife, with over 500 bars, restaurants, and clubs open most nights of the week.

There are also a handful of cinemas, and the city hosts an international short film festival every year. Regensburg is an exciting, historical city, but also one that is definitely also looking to the future.

Transportation in Regensburg

Regensburg is a very connected city. The main train station Regensburg Hauptbahnhof is connected to Munich, Nuremberg, Ingolstadt, and other major Bavarian cities, and also provides a direct line to Austria via the Passau railway line.

Living in Regensburg is made easier by the extensive bus network that runs throughout the city run by RVV, and the city center itself is easily traversable by foot. The surrounding areas are also well-connected via the well-kept motorways (Autobahn) and B roads (Bundesstraßen).

As an expatriate from an EU country living in Regensburg, you will not need a new license to drive in Germany as yours will be valid. However, those relocating from outside of the EU will need to trade their license for a German one at latest six months after their relocation to Germany.

Education in Regensburg

Children in Germany are entitled to free, compulsory education until the age of 16. After completing primary school at the age of 10 (12 in some areas), children then attend one of three different types of secondary school, depending on their academic track record and the type of education they wish to undertake.

Germany is known for its excellent education system, and so expatriates living in Regensburg should not be worried about the quality of the local schools. If you nevertheless prefer to send your kids to an international school, the Regensburg International School is a popular choice for expatriates living in Regensburg, as is the SIS Swiss International School Deutschland — both of which offer the curriculum in English.

There are also a number of universities in the city, including University of Regensburg, which is ranked in the top 400 worldwide.